Teachers' Role in Developing 21st Century Skills Among Secondary School Students in the Republic of Yemen

Abstract

This research study aimed to identify the twenty-first century skills needed by secondary school students in the Republic of Yemen as well as the teacher's role in developing these skills among students. The study used the descriptive method, and administered  a questionnaire to a random sample of (367) students.  The research came out with a list of the 21st century skills needed for high school students. The study findings revealed that there is a disparity in the teacher's role played in developing those skills.  While teacher's role in developing the skill of cooperation and effective communication received the highest mean, developing the skill of critical thinking, and the skill of the digital age scored the lowest mean. In addition, the results revealed that there were statistically significant differences in students' responses attributed to the gender variable on the skill of critical thinking in favor of males, and on leadership skills and decision making skills in favor of females. In light of these results, it was recommended that colleges of education and teacher preparation institutes should pay more attention to preparing their teachers in a manner consistent with the skills of the 21st  century, particularly critical thinking skills and digital skills. Schools should also be provided with technological facilities, and the curriculum should include 21st skills as well as teachers' roles in developing such skills. Keywords: role, teacher, skills, 21st century.